Exam · IBPS · SBI · RRB
Banking pattern, eligibility & series
बँकिंग
IBPS PO / Clerk, SBI PO / Clerk, IBPS RRB and allied bank prelims — reasoning, quant, English and GK with a real exam timer.
Prelims MCQ (+ Mains as per...
Pattern
4–8 months
Prep time
Marathi / English
Medium
Yes — typically 0.25 (confirm notification)
Negative marking
⚠️ Important Notice | महत्त्वाची सूचना
Please verify the latest and official exam information on the respective Exam Body’s official website.
परीक्षेची अद्ययावत व अधिकृत माहिती संबंधित परीक्षा संस्थेच्या अधिकृत वेबसाइटवरून पडताळून घ्यावी.
Overview
What this exam is
IBPS PO / Clerk, SBI PO / Clerk, IBPS RRB and allied bank prelims — reasoning, quant, English and GK with a real exam timer.
Conducting body: IBPS / SBI / RRB (as per advertisement)
Roles after selection
Pattern
Prelims MCQ (+ Mains as per IBPS / SBI notification)
Eligibility
Graduation from a recognised university (as per IBPS / SBI advertisement)
Pay band
As per IBA / SBI officer and clerical scales
Typical prep
4–8 months
At a glance
Key facts aspirants ask first
Clerk Prelims
100 Q · 60 min · 3 sections
PO Prelims
100 Q · 60 min · sectional timing
Negative marking
Usually 0.25 per wrong
Portals
ibps.in · sbi.co.in/careers
Selection
Stages you will face
Prelims
Online objective screening with sectional timing. Marks usually not added to final merit.
Mains
Scoring stage — GA/banking awareness plus aptitude; PO adds descriptive paper.
Language / interview
Local language test (Clerk) or interview / personality stages (PO) as per IBPS/SBI.
Written pattern
Papers at a glance
Typical scheme — confirm question count and duration on the official advertisement.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS / SBI Clerk Prelims | 100 | 100 | 60 min (20×3) | English · Numerical Ability · Reasoning |
| IBPS Clerk Mains (typical) | 160 | 200 | 125 min | GA/FA · English · Quant · Reasoning — confirm latest IBPS notice |
| IBPS / SBI PO Prelims | 100 | 100 | 60 min | English · Quant · Reasoning with sectional timers |
| PO Mains + descriptive | As notified | As notified | As notified | Adds banking awareness & descriptive English / essay |
| IBPS RRB Prelims (typical) | As notified | As notified | As notified | Reasoning + Numerical Ability — confirm Officer vs Office Assistant notice |
Section marks
Written paper breakup
Prelims — English Language
~30
~30 questions
Prelims — Numerical Ability / Quant
~35
~35 questions
Prelims — Reasoning
~35
~35 questions
Mains — Banking / GA (typical)
As notified
As notified questions
Syllabus map
What to study
Topic clusters summarised for practice planning — verify the official syllabus PDF.
Prelims
- Simplification & arithmetic
- Puzzles & seating
- Reading comprehension
- Inequalities & syllogism
- Number series
Mains extras
- Banking & financial awareness
- Static GA & current affairs
- Data interpretation
- Descriptive English (PO)
Application desk
Documents, fees & apply tips
Keep ready
- ✓ Graduation certificate and marksheets
- ✓ Category certificates if claiming reservation
- ✓ Photo identity and signature as per IBPS/SBI specs
Fees
IBPS and SBI publish separate fee tables each CRP cycle. Pay only on ibps.in or the official SBI careers portal.
Before you submit
- → Practise sectional timers from week one — one slow section can end Prelims.
- → Start banking awareness 8–10 weeks before Prelims even though it appears in Mains.
- → Pick the exact CRP (Clerk / PO / RRB) you applied for before you sit mocks.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Graduation from a recognised university (as per IBPS / SBI / RRB notice).
- Age and attempt limits differ for PO, Clerk and RRB.
- Local language proficiency may be tested after Mains for Clerk cadres.
Syllabus outline
Subjects to cover
Preparation
How to practise this paper
Daily quant + reasoning sets beat weekend-only study.
Read RBI / banking current affairs in short daily slots.
Attempt full Prelims mocks under exact sectional clocks.
Series
Practice series for Banking
Timed mock series for this family are coming soon. Read the guide above for pattern and eligibility.
Mocks coming soon
Banking series
Guides and pattern notes are live. Timed store series will appear here when published.
Browse live exams →Related exams
Other papers in this family
Official links
Confirm on the source
FAQ
Quick answers
Is banking bilingual on MyExamMate?
IBPS Prelims are usually English/Hindi. Maharashtra government papers on this site stay Marathi + English.
Clerk vs PO?
Clerk is clerical cadre (Prelims → Mains → language). PO adds Mains depth and interview. Pick the CRP you applied for.
What about RRB?
IBPS RRB has its own Officer / Office Assistant notices. Pattern is close to Clerk/PO but follow the RRB advertisement for sections and language.
Official sites?
ibps.in for IBPS CRPs; sbi.co.in/careers for SBI drives — never pay on third-party sites.
Sit a timed Banking mock
Same login on web and Android. Rank and solutions after every attempt.